Russell Ensey

Russell E Ensey, 97, of St James passed away on Thursday March 3,2022 at the Good Samaritan Society - Pleasant View in St. James. Services will be Monday April 25 at 1:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, St James with Rev. David Lick officiating. Military Honors to be provided by the St. James Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will follow at Bass Lake Cemetery in Winnebago, MN. Russell Earl Ensey was born on August 5,1924 at Morgan, Minnesota to parents Earl and Nelsena (Johnson)Ensey. He was the only son and was the 5th of 6 children. He grew up in the Morgan area and as a child loved the outdoors and did lots of hunting. He attended rural school and graduated from Wabasso High School in 1942. On April 25,1944 he enlisted in the Navy. He spent time in Seattle for training and then was sent to Pearl Harbor and Midway Island. He was honorably discharged in May of 1946, After his discharge he spent 5 years sailing on ore boats on the Great Lakes out of Duluth. After moving to St James Russ worked his entire career at South Central Electric as a lineman. Russ and Helen Nielsen were married July 10,1955 in Winnebago and lived their entire married life in St James. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at Pleasant View where they were both residents in 2020. Helen passed away October 5,2020. Russ was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the VFW. He was proud of his service to his country. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, golf, travel and spending winters in AZ. Russ is survived by 1 sister Jeanette Fixsen of New London, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents, 4 sisters and their husbands: Pauline Poster (Al), LaVonne Quensenberry (Seba), Helen Armstrong (Lynn), Audrey Mikulski (Michael), brother-in-law Orrin Fixsen, in laws, nieces and nephews. Condolences can be sent to Jeanette Fixsen at 104 Glen Oaks Drive Apt 9, New London, MN 56273.